Buoyant Afg plot Aus downfall
Afghanistan players will be aware that facing world champions Australia will be extremely tough in the must-win game today. PHOTO: AFP
Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi on Thursday targeted another big scalp in the form of Australia after knocking England out of the Champions Trophy, with a semi-final spot the prize.
The Champions Trophy debutants sent England crashing out of the 50-over tournament with a thrilling eight-run victory in Lahore on Wednesday.
Afghanistan similarly stunned then holders England at the 2023 World Cup in India.
They play world champions Australia at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Friday in their final group match and must win to reach the last four of the eight-nation tournament.
"Obviously a win like this boosts every team's confidence and strengthens them," Shahidi said after Afghanistan sent England packing.
"Our morale has increased even more."
The skipper added: "The upcoming match will be crucial for both teams in the race for the semi-finals.
"Australia is a tough and good team. I have said this in previous conferences as well -- that we came here to play good cricket.
"We will try to play a positive game. Just like we defeated England today, we hope to beat Australia as well.
"We won't put that pressure on ourselves by thinking too much about the semi-final qualification."
Rain is forecast in Lahore but even a washout will keep Afghanistan in contention to reach the semi-finals, but they will then have to depend on other results or net run-rate.
Australia beat Ashes rivals England by five wickets in their opening match, then their game with South Africa was washed out without a ball being bowled.
Another washout would send the Australians through.
Despite the uncertainty and rain also forcing them to train indoors, Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne said his side were "ready to go".
"I think most of our preparation sort of came before the tournament," he said.
The Afghans will again enjoy strong support in Lahore but Labuschagne said that will only spur on Steve Smith's team.
"We'd love to win tomorrow and silence the crowd and really put that on," said Labuschagne.
Afghanistan, a growing force in white-ball cricket, and Australia have played four ODIs previously with the Australians winning all of them.
At the 2023 World Cup, Afghanistan had Australia on the ropes at 91-7 when a cramping Glenn Maxwell hammered an unbeaten 201 to pull off victory in Mumbai.
Afghanistan roared back to beat Australia at last year's T20 World Cup and they reached the semi-finals in a landmark achievement.
The Afghans suffered a 107-run hammering to South Africa in their Champions Trophy opener last week but bounced back to post 325-7 against England.
Ibrahim Zadran smashed 177, the highest individual innings in Champions Trophy history, after Afghanistan chose to bat and were struggling on a precarious 37-3.
In reply, England were all out for 317 to suffer their second straight defeat.
The 23-year-old Zadran, who scored 17 against South Africa, is back in action after a long lay-off following ankle surgery.
"Even though he was away from cricket for six months, it's never easy for a player to return from injury and make such a strong comeback in a high-stakes match," said Shahidi.
"I am extremely happy for him because he is a very talented and hard-working player."
"He's absolutely brilliant. Talented guy," Shahidi said of his man of the match. "When we were three down at the beginning, it was too much pressure. But the partnership me and Ibrahim did was special.
"I think it was one of the best ODI innings I have ever seen."
Afghan fan Shahid Khan, a 20-year-old garment merchant, said: "This win means a lot to us. We will cherish it for a long time. It's a historic victory -- one I will remember for the rest of my life."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Alcaraz battles back to win French Open
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz poses with the trophy next to the clock that shows the duration of the match, the longest for a final in Roland-Garros against Italy's Jannik Sinner, after winning the French Open. PHOTO: AFP Carlos Alcaraz battled from the brink of a first Grand Slam final loss to outlast Jannik Sinner in a French Open title clash for the ages on Sunday and keep his crown, cementing his status as the Prince of Clay in Roland Garros' post-Rafa Nadal era. In a scintillating showdown between the torch-bearers of a new generation, the 22-year-old saved three match points in the fourth set to win 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 7-6(10-2) and continue his dominance over Sinner with his fifth straight victory and end the Italian's 20-match winning run at the majors. Alcaraz showed his steely determination to win the epic in five hours and 29 minutes - the longest final at Roland Garros - and soaked up the roaring ovation from a thoroughly entertained Parisian crowd long used to 14-times champion Nadal's reign. "I'm just really happy to be able to make history with you in this tournament," Alcaraz told Sinner after collecting the Musketeers' Cup. "I'm sure you're going to be champion not once, but many times. It's a privilege to share the court with you in every tournament, making history with you." Victory made him only the second man since tennis turned professional in 1968 to win all of his first five Grand Slam singles finals after Swiss great Roger Federer but Alcaraz was more enthralled with an achievement he shared with fellow Spaniard and 22-times major champion Nadal. "The coincidence of winning my fifth Grand Slam at the same age as Nadal, that's destiny ," Alcaraz told reporters. "It's a stat I'm going to keep forever It's a huge honour. Hopefully it's not going to stop like this." Alcaraz and Sinner, who have lifted seven out of the last eight Grand Slams to stamp their authority in the men's game, were locked in a fierce battle full of dramatic momentum shifts in the first major final between two men born in the 2000s. Sunday's five-hour-plus fiesta was the second-longest Grand Slam final in the Open Era and marked only the third time since 1968 that a player saved a match point en route to victory in a Grand Slam final. Playing his first Grand Slam after serving a three-month ban after a doping case, top seed Sinner held serve in a tense five-deuce opening game lasting 12 minutes. However, the 23-year-old was broken in the fifth game when he fired a forehand wide, before hitting back from 2-3 and going on to snatch an intense opening set following an unforced error by Alcaraz. On the ropes Relentless pressure from the baseline allowed Sinner to go a break up early in the second set and the top seed began to apply the squeeze on Alcaraz, who was on the ropes trailing 1-4 on a sunbathed Court Philippe Chatrier. An aggressive Alcaraz came out fighting and drew loud cheers when he drew level after 10 games and then forced a tiebreak but Sinner edged ahead with a blistering forehand winner and doubled his lead after the clock ticked past two hours. Alcaraz, who had never come back from two sets down before, battled hard in the hope of avoiding heartbreak in a major final and pulled a set back before saving three match points at 3-5 down in the fourth, later restoring parity following the tiebreak. Sinner was left to digest how he let slip a golden chance to win claycourt's blue riband event following hardcourt triumphs at the U.S. Open and Australian Open. Alcaraz fell to the red dirt before Sinner went over to his side of the court to congratulate him and the Spaniard then ran to the heaving stands to hug his team and celebrate. "CARLOS II, PRINCE OF CLAY," the French Open posted on X. Sinner had a contemplative look, sitting on his bench as his rival rejoiced, and was gracious in defeat when he congratulated him during the trophy ceremony.
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Mbappe fires France to Nations League bronze
France forward and captain Kylian Mbappe was the difference in Sunday's 2-0 win over Germany in Stuttgart. Photo: AFP Kylian Mbappe bagged a goal and an assist as France beat Germany 2-0 in the Nations League bronze-medal match in Stuttgart on Sunday. Mbappe wove his magic in a heavily changed France squad. Germany dominated the opening half but Mbappe provided the breakthrough just before half-time, carving a shot through a crowded penalty box to bring up his 50th goal in France colours. Late in the second, with the hosts desperately looking for an equaliser, Mbappe snatched a poor Germany pass on the half-way line and rampaged forward, before setting up Michael Olise. Mbappe had not scored in open play for France for more than a year. After the match, the France captain hit back at criticism levelled against him, telling DAZN "since I arrived in the international team, everyone always talks about me.... when they have an opportunity to talk bad, they talk bad. "They did it with all the great players in history in France and I'm the next. But I'm OK with that. I just try and do my job." France and Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni praised his club and international teammate Mbappe, saying "everyone in the team loves him. "He's a very important player for us and when he plays like he did today, it's just amazing." For Germany, who lost two straight straight matches for the first time since 2023, questions remain over how much they have truly improved under Julian Nagelsmann. Striker Niclas Fuellkrug lamented his side's wastefulness, telling DAZN: "if we had taken our first chance and scored, it could have been three or four nil for us." In the lead-up to Sunday's encounter, France coach Didier Deschamps admitted the Nations League clash with old rivals Germany "isn't the most important game for us," with a clear focus on next year's World Cup. Deschamps made eight changes from the semi-final loss to Spain, with only captain Mbappe, goalie Mike Maignan and midfield veteran Adrien Rabiot keeping their starting spots. Nagelsmann also rotated heavily, making four changes including bringing Fuellkrug back into the starting XI. The Germans had a wealth of chances in the opening half. Karim Adeyemi won a penalty but it was overturned by VAR for diving. Florian Wirtz hit the post. Mbappe struck just before half-time. The Real Madrid man collected a pass which floated over Joshua Kimmich's head, took a touch and hammered a shot home with his preferred right foot.
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Portugal beat Spain to win Nations League
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the Nations League trophy for the second time in his illustrious career. Photo: AFP Ruben Neves scored the decisive spot kick after Alvaro Morata missed as Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday to claim their second Nations League title. Portugal twice went behind in regulation time but twice fought back to level the scores. "Our fighting spirit and togetherness were decisive today," Bruno Fernandes, who converted his penalty, told RTL. "When we stay together like this, we're very difficult to beat." After 21 minutes, Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defence to put Spain in front. The brilliant Nuno Mendes levelled things up five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain's goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the break. Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been before scoring the winner against Germany in the semis, equalised with 61 minutes gone, adjusting quickly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball home. Ronaldo was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to penalties. Both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugal's fourth, before Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa. Neves nervelessly converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans. On the sidelines, Ronaldo could not watch the final penalty, burying his face in a teammate's back. Once Neves converted, the Portugal veteran fell to his knees and was embraced by players and staff. The victory was just Portugal's second competitive win over Iberian rival Spain in their long history. Portugal's only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing. Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal's third major title, along with Euro 2016. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said the match was "equal". "We did a lot well, but in football sometimes things happen and the opponent is able to beat you," he said. Portugal equalise twice While Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal's fluid movement troubled the Portugese defence early in the match, La Roja's opener was scrappy. Yamal chipped from outside the box and the Portugal defence froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the net. The goal was just rewards for Spain's early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately. Mendes, put through by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal and in. Just before halftime, Spain picked Portugal's pocket in their own half before advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past Diogo Costa. Oyarzabal's goal meant he has scored in three international finals -- against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost. Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the heavily Portuguese crowd until that point but would pick his moment to strike. With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella before lashing a volley home. The goal was Ronaldo's fourth in 10 matches against Spain. The previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup.
